Petition by a number of African Blacks to the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

To the great and general Court of Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bay. The petition of the subscribers a number of African Blacks, humbly sheweth, That we, or our ancestors, have been unjustly forced from Africa; and contrary to all right or humanity, have been reduced to a state of slavery: From which most unhappy situation we are now in, a measure delivered by the justice of the new Constitution which has been adopted by this State, or by the free act of our former masters. But we yet find ourselves, in many respects, in very disagreeable and unhappy circumstances. Many of us, when considerably advanced in years, having spent the prime and vigour of our lives in our master’s service, are now turned out into the world to support ourselves, in the greatest poverty, having nothing where – with to help ourselves, xxxxx our wives and children, but our hands: And our education in a state of servitude has been such, that we do not understand many sorts of business, which it is needful we should perform, in order to get a comfortable living, in this country, in our present circumstances; and the present situation of trade and buying, together with the defects of our education, render it very difficult, and even impossible to find buying which we can do sufficient to support ourselves and families. Besides, our having been put into such a mean and abject state of slavery, in this country, deprived of the advantages of education, and motives and opportunities to make any mental improvements, has unavoidably led the white people among whom we live, habitually to look down upon us, and despise us, considering and treating us as by nature unspeakably beneath them, and a different sort of creatures, who have no claim to the rights of men, being made only for servitude and drudgery: By reason of these strong, prejudices, fixed by custom and education, it is impossible for us, in our present situation, to enjoy equal advantages with them, even to get a living; and much more impossible to be looked upon and treated as in any measure their equals, or ---- to our just rights and deserts (?), xxxx xxxx however virtuous our character may be, and whatever may be our real merits. And this must be very mortifying and painful to those of us who have the spirit and sensibility of men, and puts us under innumerable disadvantages, and tends to keep us down and cramp all laudable ambition and attempts in us or our children to make improvements and excell. These considerations and others which might be mentioned, induce us ardently to desire to return to Africa, our native country, which warm climate is much more natural and agreeable to us, than this, for which the God of nature has formed us and where we shall live among our equals; and may have a prospect of usefulness to our brethren there, and to this country too; whereas we are no benefit to the public in our present situation, but rather the contrary. This leads us humbly to propose the following plans to the consideration of this honourable court. … The soil of our native country is good, and produces the necessities of life in great abundance without so much labour as is necessary here. There are large tracts of uncultivated lands, which if proper application were made for them, it is presumed, might be obtained, and would be freely given for those to settle upon, who shall be disposed to return to them. When proper and sufficient lands shall be procured by a number of blacks, who sent there by us, for that purpose, who shall be thought most capable of making such an application, and transacting this business; then they who are disposed to go and settle there, shall form themselves into a company, or civil society, united by a political constitution, which shall be agreed upon: And those who are disposed, and shall be thought qualified, shall unite and be formed into a religious society or xxxx xxxx Christian church; and have one or more Blacks ordained, as their elders or Bishop: And being thus formed, shall be transported to Africa, to settle on said lands. These must be furnished with necessary provisions for the voyage and farming utensils, necessary to cultivate the lands; and with the materials necessary to build houses and mills, which at present cannot be obtained there; as we trust there are those among us, who will be able to erect them. --- And as the sugar cane may be as well raised there; as in the West Indies, if not more easily, it is proposed that a number of us who understand this business, shall cultivate that useful plant, and that work shall be erected to manufacture sugar and molasses; which in time may become a very extensive and profitable business. [ Of this numbers of gentlemen in Europe have been convinced of late; and a plan has been proposed to teach and assist the Africans to cultivate and manufacture the sugarcane, as that which would be most profitable to them, and the Europeans. Have not the American States now an opportunity, which they may never have hereafter, to avail themselves of this advantage, by assisting us to return to our own country, and to prosecute that business, while at the same time they will promote the good of millions in Africa?] The execution of this plan will, we hope, have a great tendency to put an end to the slave trade, which has destroyed, or undone millions, and is such a reproach to all the nations in the Christian world, who have been concerned in it; and has been the means of spreading innumerable evils among the Blacks in Africa. It will also, it may be hoped, be the means of enlightening and civilizing those nations who are now sunk in ignorance and barbarity: And give opportunity to those who shall be disposed and enjoyed to promote the salvation of their heathen brethren, to spread the knowledge of Christianity among them, and persuade them to embrace it. And, in this way, schools may be formed to instruct their children and youth, and Christian knowledge be spread through many nations, who now are in gross darkness; and many Christian churches be erected, and the only true God and Saviour be worshiped and honoured, through that vast extent of country, where are now the habitation of cruelty, under the reign of the prince of darkness. This will also lay a happy foundation for a friendly and lasting connection between that country and the United States in America, by a mutual intercourse and extensive, profitable trade, which will unspeakably more than overbalance all the expense which is now necessary, in order to carry this plan into effect. This leads us to observe that we are poor, and are utterly unable to prosecute this scheme, or return to African without assistance. Money is wanted to enable those who shall be appointed, to go to Africa and procure lands to settle upon, and to obtain a passage for us and our families, and to furnish us with necessary provisions, and the utensils and articles which have been mentioned, &. We therefore humbly and correctly apply to this honourable Court, hoping, and praying that in your wisdom and goodness, you will fix upon and prosecute the best method to relieve and assist us, either by granting a Brief for a collection in all the congregations in this State, and recommending the same to the other States; or by forwarding a subscription to promote this design; or in any other way, which to your wisdom shall appear the best. We beg leave to add, that we cannot but hope this honourable court, and the good people in this State, and in most of the other United States, are so far convinced of the unrighteousness, inhumanity and cruelty of the Slave Trade, which has brought such evil on us, and millions of others; and of the injustices and impolicy of the slavery to which we and others have been reduced, by means of that trade, as to be ready to do all in their power towards making some little compensation for the injuries which we and they have by these means suffered; And that they will be persuaded that this can be best done by promoting the proposed plan; and that by contributing to this, they will, at the same time, bring on themselves the blessing of millions, now perishing for lack of vision.